Bolehland

I have no idea how to translate the title. It basically refers to Malaysia, the bolehland ie anything is possible in Malaysia. I wish I can be brave and vocal towards Malaysian government, then again, as long as you have ISA (who recently arrested RPK for blogging), you literally have to stay put and be quiet else you'd end up in the detention centre. Scary but true!

As usual, I updated myself with Malaysian news and my oh my... what a hot potato!!! After reading several blogs I am seriously infuriated at what I have known all along. Things are really getting way out of alignment. I really doubt blogging about the government through the perceived "freedom of speech" is going to help at all. Don't get me wrong, I just don't want bloggers to get into trouble. Personally, all I can say is, don't waste your breath, you are dealing with retards. They can hardly think for themselves, all they can do it retaliate physically, by putting you in jail! That would solve their problem, but little do they know, they will be the main sufferers if they don't change their mentality.

Was reading BrisbaneTimes regarding world's most corrupt country and what a shame Malaysia isn't the top 10. I was like...hello.. Malaysia is right there on the map. It' quite visible in the world map you know? Can you see it??? Perhaps you should open your eyes bigger... no?? Still can't see it?? Let me help you la..

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There!!! My verdict of the most corrupt country in the world or at least give it a top 10 la. How can it even be in orange?? Oh by the way, the lower the CPI, the higher the corruption. Malaysia should at least be in red!!!

How do people even do a survey on corruption?? Maybe it's not political corruption but more of social corruption. That is understandable because if it's political, it must be well-guarded. Sorry, I'm not a political science student, so spare me the orthodox understanding.

Anyway, for information sake:

Most corrupt country and CPI score
Somalia: 1.4
Myanmar: 1.4
Iraq: 1.5
Haiti: 1.6
Uzbekistan: 1.7
Tonga: 1.7
Sudan: 1.8
Chad: 1.8
Afghanistan: 1.8
Laos: 1.9

Least corrupt country and CPI score
Norway: 8.7
Denmark: 9.4
Finland: 9.4
New Zealand: 9.4
Singapore: 9.3
Sweden: 9.3
Iceland: 9.2
Netherlands: 9.0
Switzerland: 9.0
Canada: 8.7

Source: http://www.gulfnews.com/world/General/10185179.html

Dedicated to Yi Jien

We all lose our family and friends one day and sometimes in ways we can never comprehend. Thank you Karcy, I have been following your blog almost everyday for the family's update on Yi Jien. Though my heart didn't feel like letting go, though somehow, I still believe there is hope, I will not question God. I just want to dedicate a song to Yi Jien and Aunty Kim Guat.

Yi Jien, I hope it is not wrong to assume the worst, yet the worst for us, may in fact be for the best, I do not know. Wherever you are, I know God is with you.. and for that I am glad and I know we will meet someday.

Aunty Kim Guat, I know you as a strong woman of God, we all know there's really not much to worry about. We will all be united with the Lord one day and I really look forward to that day. Love you...

HELD by Natalie Grant
Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Boomp3.com

Recommended viewing

Watched The Dark Knight last weekend. I didn't watch the first batman movie acted by Christian Bale, but I must admit, he's so good looking!

Movie was excellent, especially the Joker, Heath Ledger, he is an amazing actor. Regretfully, he did not live long enough to enjoy his post-production fame as the best Joker.

However, I have one tiny little problem. I do like Maggie Gyllenhaal and I think she's a good actress. But I just don't see the chemistry there between her and her love interest and Batman. Perhaps that's why she died in the movie (sorry, spoiler for those who haven't watch). Somehow, I didn't think she suited that role.

Anyway, it was a great movie overall. So, go watch it. (I'm pretty sure many have already watch the movie, I am perhaps the last one standing).

I also rented this movie which I came across starring Ralph Fiennes. I liked him since I watched the English Patient. However, he is well-known as a notorious playboy in real life. He is a good actor, I must say. Which was why, I watched the movie, Constant Gardener. Also, highly recommended. Thought it was pretty good.

Love Languages

I found this at my godbrother's blog and took the quiz. It's based on the five love languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. The questions are quite tricky in a sense, but I guess it's aim is to put into hierarchy the languages of love that means most to you.

I think it's pretty accurate. I always need Big Elf's honest opinion on something, and he always keeps things in perspective by telling me the truth. When I was younger, I always wanted him to sweet talk me, but he can hardly! It was frustrating at times. Well, those were the old childish days when we first met. Nowadays, I appreciate everything he says including negative ones and I accept it with no hard feelings. However him on the other hand is affected when I tell him frankly what I think (is that bad???).

Here are some of the conversations we once had (with some improvisation):

SCENARIO 1:
HIM: Do you think I play basketball well??

HER: (Argh..... thank goodness I wasn't facing him when he asked, I had to gather my thoughts to answer him)Well, dear you always know you are not sports incline one what.. (bad opening!!!!).

HIM: So, I really cannot play one la hor..?

HER: (Realized that he wanted some confirmation to motivate him to exercise) Nola, it takes lots of practice one. Have to keep playing until you are good lor... (slightly better answer I would presume)

HIM: Nola, I think I cannot play one la. I think I'm not good at basketball lah.

HER: (Since I've watched him play before) Your only problem is, you are too lazy to run around for the ball. People run to the ball, you jog to the ball!!! You don't like to exert yourself one... cannot like that one. Have to go all out to play basketball one.

HIM: (Sighed deeply) Nevermind la, I accept the fact that I can never be a good basketballer.

HER: (Felt so remorseful.. after not even trying to encourage husband).........

Tell me now, what kind of wife am I??

SCENARIO 2:

HIM: Dear ar, I think I am quite slow one.

HER: (Without hesitating and wanting to be honest)Yeah, abit la.. it's okay one la.. everyone has their own weaknesses! (Opps, did I just say something wrong??)

HIM: (Startled at my revelation) Where got wife so discouraging one??

HER: Nola, you are fast and good at other stuffs what.

HIM: Like what???

HER: You cook very well, you can be a well-known chef (This is 100% true!).

HIM: Really???

HER: Of course (in all seriousness). You are so creative when it comes to food!!

HIM: But you say I am slow... what if I'm also discouraging towards you??

HER: Say la..I accept everything and anything!

HIM: What if I say, you don't dance well??

HER: I know.... of course I don't dance well. No lesson, no training, no nothing.

HIM: (Not satisfied as he knows I loves dancing) What about you don't blog well??

HER: I know.. I cannot write one.. I never think I blog well.

HIM: (Again, unsatisfied) What about, you are not pretty!

HER: (Ouch, almost hitting the bull's eye he thought) I know, I never say I'm pretty. I'm never pretty!!

HIM: (Pouting)Why you don't feel anything one??

HER: It's because I accept the truth about myself. I don't tell myself things that are not true about myself. I don't lie to myself!! Life still goes on even when you are not NO. 1!!!!

HIM: Hm........ (dumbfounded)

Anyway, that's the sort of person I am with Big Elf. The true self I guess. Somehow, it's harder to be genuinely truthful to other people because I try to guard their feelings from being hurt. We do give each other praises when praises are due. All the more meaningful, I believe.

Anyway, I tried the quiz, and here is my result --->

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Languages are probably Quality Time and Words of Affirmation

My Detailed Results:
Quality Time:	9
Words of Affirmation:	9
Receiving Gifts:	5
Physical Touch:	4
Acts of Service:	3

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!

I would like to tag......
1) Li Lian
2) Jiunn Li
3) Alex Chew SS

Talk about breastfeeding

Remember that time we had some friends visiting us and stayed with us for 3 weeks? Of course, you don't. How can you remember, unless you are my family members who knows every single thing about me. Anyway, I remember asking my friend unending questions about having a baby, and one of our conversation included breastfeeding. If you know science, and if you are well-informed, you will know that breastmilk IS good for the baby. But I was appalled when she told me how she was discouraged by her family members especially relatives when she breastfeeds for more than a month. But she is a very strong-willed person and is not easily dissuaded. She knows what's best for her baby. When she was here, her little boy was almost 2 years old and she was still breastfeeding! I was amazed as I never knew anyone who breastfed for that long.

Today, I came across this article and thought it was an excellent article. The message was clear and right to the point! I thought I'd reproduce that article as I'm afraid it will be taken down soon.

Yes, actually, breast is best
Linda McIver
September 20, 2008

I didn't set out to be weird. I didn't intend to be strange. It wasn't a deliberate choice to do something so way out, something that was obviously not quite right. Not just bizarre, but frankly rather distasteful. Some even find it disgusting. The thing is, it's OK when you start. People are even supportive initially. But as you keep going, failing to stop at the invisible stop sign, people start to get very edgy. It starts to seem a little perverse.

Apparently there is a rule I didn't know about. You stop breastfeeding by 12 months at the latest. Continue any longer than that and … well, it's a bit twisted, isn't it?

"Will you still be breastfeeding her at her 21st?" It's delivered with a smile - it may be the funniest thing the speaker has said all day, possibly even all year - but, let's face it, this is the 100th time I've been asked the question this week, and it wasn't funny the first time. My mother was the first to say it. I knew she would have a hard time with me "failing" to stop breastfeeding when my daughter, Chloe, was one. She always referred to my friend Ann as "that woman who was still breastfeeding her toddler at your baby shower".

But, to her credit, she came around. When I asked her why it was so wrong, she had no answer, and finally admitted that it was just what she was used to. She could find no reason why I should stop at the magic 12-month mark.

Which is just as well, because I would not have stopped whatever she said. I was happy to keep feeding Chloe, and Chloe was happy to keep feeding, so why stop? When I went back to work when she was 11 months, a feed when I got home on Daddy's day, or when I picked her up from child care, was a nice way to reconnect. It was an excellent behavioural tool - a feed could always calm her when she was hurt or upset. A feed always helped to get her off to sleep (yes, I committed the terrible crime of feeding her to sleep, right from the start. Oh, the shame), and it was brilliant the few times we flew - feeding on take-off and landing made the flying thing a breeze.

Yet despite the fact that breastfeeding was overwhelmingly positive for Chloe and I, and for my second child, Jane, who is still feeding at 18 months, I have received a host of negative responses and comments. Everyone feels qualified to offer an opinion. From the type of social pressure in the joking comments such as the ones above, to the more disturbing pseudo-medical comments. "It's time you gave her own immune system a go" (actually breastfeeding has a host of immune benefits, and helps to strengthen the baby's immune system at least until two years of age - studies haven't been done beyond that age yet, but there's no reason to believe that immunological components of breast milk would disappear at that age). "You're stopping her from getting adequate nutrition from solids" (breast milk is nutritious, and my children eat plenty of solids as well). "It's too draining for you physically." (I'm doing fine, thank you!) "It will make her too dependent on you." (Research in the US by Professor James McKenna of the Mother-Baby Behavioural Sleep lab at the University of Notre Dame suggests that the reverse is true - children who are attachment parented, who tend also to experience sustained breastfeeding, are more confident and independent in the long term.)

Why do people have a problem with it?

The problem seems to be a strong feeling that it is wrong for the child somehow. That it makes the child "unnaturally dependent on his mother" as Dr Spock wrote in the 1950s, or interferes with nutrition or taking up of solid foods. A GP once told me that I should not be feeding my toddler at night, because it "interferes with her daytime nutrition". This is based purely on prejudice - there is no medical reason for it.

It is interesting to challenge our assumptions and instinctive reactions to milk. Apparently it's OK to feed your child cow's milk (or formula made from it) at any age, but continuing to give her your own milk is weird. Possibly even perverted.

At a recent meeting of the Australian Breastfeeding Association someone mentioned that her mother was raised in a village in Eastern Europe, where they would try to ensure that two women got pregnant at similar times, so that they could share working and raising the children. One mother would go to work in the fields, the other would stay home and breastfeed both children. The next day they would swap roles. Almost every woman in the room immediately went "Eeeew! How could you let your child drink someone else's milk?" A very wise breastfeeding counsellor by the name of Shirley Brown smiled at us all and said, "It's funny, it's OK to feed your child an animal's milk, but not another person's!" Until we question our prejudices, we can't detect the ones that are baseless.

Many people object that "it's just for comfort", which raises the question, "What's wrong with comforting my child?" (It's also medically wrong, by the way - as well as the immunological components, there is plenty of nutrition in breast milk.)

It may be that it challenges the notion of parental control - that we should be controlling, almost forcing the child to do what we perceive to be right. Child-led weaning is the antithesis of this - allowing the child to do what feels right seems to be a real source of tension. There is a perception that a child left to wean herself will choose never to wean.

It may be true that they don't "need" it - after all, plenty of children do fine on formula from the start. But even if they can survive without it, that doesn't make it necessary to stop. I can survive without chocolate, too, but I choose not to give it up, even though it has nowhere near the benefits of breast milk.

It is interesting that many people don't simply feel that sustained breastfeeding is not something they could contemplate themselves, but that it is actively wrong for anyone. This may be partly the usual human desire to see others replicate and hence confirm our choices, but it seems to be more than that. Somehow breastfeeding seems to have become tangled up in our strange attitude to the human body, nakedness and sexuality.

Is it about breasts? Certainly feeding a toddler in public increases the chance that a stranger (or worse, a friend!) may inadvertently glimpse your breasts. Yet I can't for the life of me work out why that should be so problematic. Is it the risk of accidentally arousing someone for a moment? Most mothers will not leave their breasts hanging out longer than necessary, and if a brief glimpse of nipple sends someone into a frenzy, I think there are other issues involved (and they're not my issues or my problem). Is it the interaction between child and breast? Particularly if the child is male, there seems to be a fear of sexualisation, that the child will somehow perceive his mother's breasts, hitherto a source of nourishment and comfort, as sexual objects. This, again, says more about the perceptions (and, yes, perversions) of the observers than the child. Anthropologist Kathy Dettwyler points out that the idea of breasts as sexual objects is a largely Western cultural belief, rather than inherent in the breasts themselves.

HOW do we decide what is obscene? It's not fundamental. There is no secret list, or magic criteria. It's a value judgement, based on social norms. Why are breasts obscene (particularly when they're under-age, as in the Bill Henson furore) but violence is not? As a society, we seem to have developed some odd attitudes to nudity, and to breasts. I know parents who go out of their way to make sure their children never see any naked breasts or bottoms, but people beating each other up, blood everywhere, guns and other random violence? No problem. By letting our children see naked flesh, and use breasts for their fundamental purpose, are we setting them up for some dreadful fixations? I can't see it. I don't understand how seeing breasts as a food source translates to sexual perversion. In fact, the recent media story about a model who refused to breast feed because she preferred to reserve her breasts for her husband strikes me as far more perverse than sustained breastfeeding.

Despite the World Health Organisation recommendation that children be breastfed until at least two years of age, a recent long-term study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that at 12 months, 28% of children were breastfeeding; at 18 months, only 9% of children were being breastfed; and at 24 months, the rate was only 5%. In contrast, by about two years of age a third or more of the children in sub-Saharan Africa were still breastfeeding. In five out of seven Asian countries studied, 50% or more were still being breastfed at two years; in Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala 40% of children; and in Indonesia 63% of children are still breastfed at this age.

Rather than asking why people continue to breastfeed, perhaps we should ask why people stop breastfeeding? It is interesting to note that, in the 1880s in the US, 95% of children were still being breastfed at two. By 1990, only 50% were being breastfed at birth. So what has changed? There is the problem of returning to work, plus the powerful marketing strategies of formula companies. That very 1950s idea that anything out of a scientific lab was far superior to anything natural may have played a part. Some women are forced to wean for medical reasons, or because breastfeeding is difficult or painful. Others choose to stop breastfeeding, and there are many possible reasons: wanting to drink alcohol; wanting the "freedom"; wanting their body back; wanting space; working; wanting to go out without needing to express; wanting/needing to go away; being fed up with it.

Sometimes children wean themselves. Some women wean due to the pressure and negativity surrounding sustained breastfeeding. Others become closet feeders, feeding in secret to avoid being judged. Sometimes even medical advice is inaccurate - mothers are put on to medication that is incompatible with breastfeeding, despite a safe alternative being available, or mothers are told they must wean for surgery, instead of expressing for the necessary duration and resuming the breastfeeding relationship when it's safe. Too often I hear stories at breastfeeding association meetings of mothers who visit a doctor because they have health problems and are told "first of all you need to wean" before the problems are even investigated, let alone identified.

I dream of a world where we don't impose our ideas on others, where women are given all the facts on breastfeeding, and none of the myths. Where the decision to wean is left to mother and child, where it belongs. Where we support women and children to continue their breastfeeding relationship as long as they want.
Linda McIver is a Melbourne writer.

I wanted to put a picture to correspond with the blog, and for a second there, I wanted to put a photo of naked breasts!! But nah, I don't want to arouse perverts!

My dislikes II

Today, I had two encounters which will be added into my aversion list. My first blogging about it was here.

One of the worst thing one can experience in life would definitely have to be stucked in traffic. I must salute those who never think traffic jam as an absurd way of wasting time and how they can endure every minute and every second of it. In Sydney, what makes it worse is the number of traffic lights one has to pass before reaching a destination. When I was still residing in my previous domicile, I literally counted how many sets of traffic lights I pass on the way to work. It was 29!!! It was a freaking 29 sets of lights! No wonder it took me almost an hour for a 15km distance in a bad traffic. Nowadays, I take the freeway which is so much better but still 17 sets of traffic lights. =) So I do appreciate it if people actually geared up to go when the lights turn green. Unfortunately, there are a bunch of people who think they have ample time in the world to do their 'whatever' in the car while waiting for the lights to turn green. So, when the lights says go, they are not vigilant and it has to take a nasty honk or several just to alert them. Inevitably, this will only allow several cars to go and the next few cars in line will have to wait for another couple of minutes. This is one scenario that will cause me to blow!! (Lord, I ask for more patience in me, please.)

Secondly, we had dinner out just today and we were seated next to a group of people which I assume was a couple with 2 kids (a baby and a small kid) and their 3 single friends (from their conversation). Not just on one occasion, but several, the mother drew much attention when she raised her voice at her little boy (probably 2-3 years old). Of course, people tried to be polite and dared not stare, but we were right beside them. Gosh, it was so annoying! Although seemingly, she was trying to discipline her son, but I don't think that sort of treatment is suitable in public. She repeatedly had to raise her voice to tell her son off, "this cannot, that cannot, no this, no that... etc". I really have an issue with mother's trying to proove in public that she's a stern mum!! Especially the tone that this lady used.. is so similar to many of the 'well-educated mothers' I've seen around, as opposed to the not-so-educated ones, of which the latter will simply shout at their kids, slap them around (understandably, this is prohibited in Australia) and ask them to shut up and sit quietly! So, this lady actually tried to show her smart-arse (in hokkien we call it, ke gau) motherly demeanour in public and I absolutely loathe it! Can't they do it at home??? I have seen many children and friends with that kind of mother, and eventually they turn out to either be resentful and/or timid and/or another smart-arse product!! (Lord, please help me to be more accepting and forgiving and not judgmental.)

I know, I am a very judgmental person, no one person in this world can be unison in character and attitude. I just have to learn to accept them as they are. Oh well, I sound very petty and I'm not someone into the deep stuffs, well I do but in seclusion. So, as much as those are meaningful and worthy to be pondered upon, one just need to succumb to the fact that life in itself is hard. I have long accepted that, which is why I don't dwell in the deep stuffs because it just complicates things even more. I want to live life in contentment and in thanksgiving because I know, there's pure joy by just knowing the Lord!!

Ok, I digressed. One minute, I am judgmental and now I'm talking about joy! Hmm... told you I have identity crisis. Oh wait, I was actually talking about pettiness and the deeper stuffs!

Alrighty, enough with that. Before I end, I want to show my mum the dinner we cooked yesterday. We had some thai sweet chili chicken with some salad. Big Elf likes his garden salad with balsamic vinegar whereas I wanted to have a different salad ie silverbeet (mum, that's the name of the vegetable I told you about) with mashed sweet potatoes. No MSG, no salt for the salad. Quick, easy and healthy!

Big Elf's dinner

My dinner

Appleseed

Yesterday we invited some friends over for dinner. Big Elf loves to be host and he will cook really nice food for his guests! Unfortunately, the food looked too good that I totally didn't bother to snap a photo of it. I am always ravenous when there's prawns!!

The dinner setting






















The dishes were:
1. Spicy Black Bean Beef
2. Ma Po Tofu
3. Sambal Tumis Banana Prawns
4. Stir-fry bak choy (I cooked this la, simple and easy).

If you don't already know by now, Big Elf always leave the vegetable dishes to me and he will get his hands on the seemingly more important and substantial dishes ie the meat and seafood.

Calla lilies

Some random shots just to make up for the dishes I didn't photograph. Sorry =( These are calla lilies which I plucked from my landlord's garden. They grow very well towards the end of winter and of course spring time. Soon, there will be hydrangeas in the garden. Can't wait for it to grow!








Candle light holder from Ikea





















The dessert!!!


At least I remembered to snap a photo of the dessert while Big Elf was preparing it. It was just a simple cookies and cream ice-cream with strawberries and chocolate topping. Our friends left us with a movie they bought, an anime called Appleseed! We then watched it for the night and it was quite good.. not so much of a Studio Ghibli style movie, you can tell. It was war and bloody... I'm sure you get the gist of it. All in all, it's highly recommended.

Howl's Moving Castle

I have been watching Studio Ghibli's anime diligently since this year.Many of my friends have probably watched them long long time ago, yet I only started now. Perhaps it's good in a way because I'm sure I wouldn't understand it better than now. I have watched several but didn't think my interest would last this long. Hence, I didn't blog about it. The whole idea behind studio ghibli is something worth respecting from the movie plot they produced. Time and again, they never fail to impress audiences, especially me. Every anime has a good story line and morale in it. However, it may not be suitable for Christian audiences, especially kids as they engage in all these supernatural, magical, gods and goddesses and monsters like theme, overtly non-Christian beliefs. Then again, I am not an extremist and I know who I serve. So, I'm not too worried about watching it and being a fan of Studio Ghibli.

My first Studio Ghibli's anime was Howl's Moving Castle. I was immediately fascinated by it, an animation with such engaging storyline. I was absolutely drawn to the visual effect and I cannot believe, I was totally charmed by it. I never knew about Studio Ghibli before but this was a great start to my venture on watching all Studio Ghibli's production.

Howl's Moving Castle is based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones. Here's the spoiler for those who haven't watch. But even after reading the plot, it is still worth watching!


The film starts off with the protagonist of Howl’s Moving Castle, Sophie, a timid and unsure 18-year-old girl who works in her late father's hat shop. She has a chance encounter with the mysterious wizard Howl (27 years old), who rescues her from some menacing soldiers. However, by doing so, Howl brings Sophie to the attention of the Witch of the Waste, who visits Sophie and whom Sophie inadvertently offends and puts a curse on her, transforming her into a 90-year-old woman. Unable to tell anyone of the curse, she sets off on her journey to the Waste, to beg Howl to lift the curse. On the way she meets a magically animated scarecrow whom she names Turnip Head. Together they find Howl's moving castle.

Inside the castle, Sophie comes across a fire demon, Calcifer, with whom she makes a deal: He will change Sophie back to her normal age if she can break the contract that binds Calcifer and Howl together. "Grandma" Sophie also meets Markl, Howl's young apprentice; Howl himself appears soon after. Sophie hides her true identity and claims to be a cleaning lady hired by Calcifer to maintain the castle. (However, Howl, like Calcifer, has been able to 'see through' the spell all along.)

Sophie discovers that the front door of the moving castle is magical, allowing transport to four different destinations. She also begins to see Howl's true nature. He shows this when Sophie messes with his potions in the bathroom, accidentally causing his hair to turn red at first, then to black. Howl throws a tantrum, claims 'There's no point in living if I can't be beautiful!', and calls on the Spirits of Darkness.

Time passes, and Howl receives summons from both Porthaven as Wizard Jenkins and Kingsbury as Wizard Pendragon to fight for the King. A war is being fought over the missing Crown Prince Justin. Howl suspects the Kingsbury summons is a trap set by Madame Suliman, Kingsbury's head sorceress and Howl's old mentor. Too cowardly to confront her himself, Howl convinces Sophie to speak to Suliman by posing as his mother, "Mrs. Pendragon."

Sophie runs into the Witch of the Waste while going to the royal castle. In the castle, the Witch of the Waste is captured by Suliman's stronger magic, stripped of her powers, and shrunken into a helpless old lady. Suliman then confronts "Mrs. Pendragon" and demands that Howl become a war magician. Howl comes to her rescue disguised as the King of Ingary, but Suliman sees through his disguise. They escape on a flying machine along with Heen, Suliman's asthmatic errand dog, and the now-helpless Witch of the Waste. Howl stays behind, fighting off the chasing soldiers, while Sophie goes ahead, flying back to the castle. Suliman, however, learns of Sophie's identity. Howl returns in a large birdlike form later that night and Sophie wakes up as her young self again. She confesses her love to him and tells him she wants to help him break his curse. Howl rejects her and flies away. Sophie wakes up to find it was all a dream.

Howl transforms the castle into a larger and more beautiful version of itself as a present for Sophie. Meanwhile, the self-confidence she has gained, along with her developing affection towards Howl, has begun to reverse Sophie's curse, returning her gradually to her true age. Madame Suliman attempts to track Howl down at the hat shop. Howl flies off to defend them; however, each time he transforms into a large birdlike creature to defend himself and his friends, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to revert to human form. Sophie receives a surprise visit from her mother Honey, sharing a brief but emotional reunion. Honey, secretly blackmailed by Madam Suliman, leaves a small bag which turns out to be a spy bug. The Witch of the Waste destroys it by feeding it to Calcifer, but it severely weakens him as a result.

Eventually, Suliman's henchmen swarm the hat shop, forcing Howl and Sophie to retreat. Howl transforms into the bird creature to draw the enemies away, while Sophie moves the castle back to the Wastes. Sophie convinces Calcifer to rescue Howl, but in his weakened state, Calcifer is unable to move the entire castle. Sophie removes Calcifer from his hearth, to reduce the size of the house, but then returns him and uses her own hair as fuel. However, the Witch spies Howl's heart in the ashes — the one thing she had been seeking for ages — and greedily grabs it. The heart sets her aflame, forcing Sophie to throw a bucket of water on her and Calcifer. Calcifer is reduced to a small flame that is unable to control the castle. The castle breaks down even further and they are all thrown off a cliff.

Sophie cries for Howl, thinking he is dead, but then in the rubble, she finds the magical castle portal. She enters to find herself transported into Howl's childhood. She learns of the relationship between Howl and Calcifer, and discovers why Howl is unable to truly love anyone. She returns to the present to find Howl outside the door. Howl is in bird creature form, badly injured and bleeding, but is able to take them back to their friends.

Sophie, Howl and Heen land on the remnants of the castle, and Howl falls unconscious as he transforms back into human shape. Sophie convinces the Witch to give Howl's heart back to him and pushes it into Howl's chest. Calcifer emerges in his true form and shoots off. Without Calcifer powering it, the remnants of the castle give way. Turnip Head sacrifices himself to stop the castle from sliding off a cliff and Sophie thanks him by giving him a kiss. Turnip Head then turns into Crown Prince Justin, who had been transformed by a spell that could only be broken by a kiss by his true love, Sophie. However, when Howl wakes up, Sophie shows she is really in love with Howl, which breaks her own curse. The Witch of the Waste tells the Crown Prince Justin to tell the king to stop the war, resigned, goes back to tell his king to stop the meaningless war. Calcifer returns and decides to stay even though his contract with Howl was broken.

Heen reports all this to Madame Suliman back in Kingsbury through her crystal ball; which showed that Prince Justin was rescued, there is no reason to continue the war. The film ends with Sophie, Howl, the Witch of the Waste, Calcifer, Markl, and Heen traveling in the newly-rebuilt castle and with both Sophie, and Howl kissing — which now flies.

Wikipedia (you mut be kidding if at one point, you thought I wrote the synopsis...hehe )

Caramel

Welcome to the new look of Sarah's blog. I was thrilled when I finally managed to upload this template after several attempts and initial failures. I looked around just to scout for templates, yet I always end up with the same theme colour ie pink or shades of pink. I was down to a final few choices which were green, purple and pink. Yet, the pink won. But they all have the same kind of design ie floral. I am truly girly!!

Anyway, it was a great weekend. The spring weather was pleasantly cool. We slept in later than usual on Saturday and how we dread for the day when we have to forgo our lovely sleeps (that is when the baby comes). Like any other typical Saturdays, I started cleaning the house. Big Elf was craving for BBQ pork and duck for lunch, but after much contemplation, we decided against it. Big Elf then came up with a really nice and simple lunch ie fried vermicelli. We had a fairly small portion because there will be a good dinner coming our way. We wanted to reserve our stomach for it.

My colleagues (2 are ex-es) wanted to to do something for my birthday. Usually there will be a cake at work and a small party that last for about 15-20 minutes. But because of the politics at work, I thought it was pretty superficial when everyone tries to be nice in that small window of time when there has already been a crack on the glass. Surely, it wasn't easy to mend the hurts, embarrassment, anger and hatred towards one another, still for some reasons unknown to myself, I bought myself a cake and celebrated with everyone. Probably because I was selfish. I didn't want the day to pass without a cake for myself.. it was still a special day to me. So, I just relinquished whatever feelings there were and just be nice to everyone.

Anyway, we had already planned to go out for dinner even before I decide to have the cake at work. So, Saturday was the day we met up and I treated it as the girls' night out, except our partners were only 'tagging' along. We went to the same Japanese restaurant as where I had my birthday last year (We are still not sick of it yet!). We had a really good time, the girls at one end, and the guys at the other. Food was great as usual. I couldn't take photos of the food as everyone started devouring the food as soon as it touches the table. However, I did manage to take some photos of the dessert, nothing fancy but alright. I was so touched with the birthday presents though!



Sunday was raining heavily in the morning and before the evening came, I suddenly remembered I was given 2 tickets for a movie preview. It was apparently a chick flick and I didn't think Big Elf would be interested. Still, I had to be grateful that I was given the free movie pass and if ever I was asked about the movie, I could give an answer. It was unfair to Big Elf should I 'force' him to watch the movie with me. Yet he was so kind that he accompanied me to the movies. I did tell him that should he find the movie boring, he can take the car home and pick me up later. Amazingly, he stayed till the end.

Caramel was the name of the film and it's our first Lebanese movie. It was quite a charming movie with constant humour throughout the movie. For me, it caught my attention, firstly as it was a film by a female director. I haven't seen many movies directed by women and I am quite interested to find out more. Secondly, I wasn't even sure if the language of the film was french or arabic or english. But I figured there will be subtitles since it's a foreign movie. The movie didn't really wow me and I didn't expect it to for a drama. Yet, it was a pretty enjoyable movie. Everyone in the cinema seemed to appreciate it, probably because it was free. I doubt they will have similar reactions should they have paid for the movie, they would have expected much more than just a drama for a film in the cinema. Unfortunately, that's just humans! Everything free IS good! How bizarre!

After the movie, we came home, still managed to pull through a lovely dinner. We prepared them beforehand, so it didn't take us long to have dinner. Again, Big Elf delivers (so, he always proclaim!). He cooked one of the finest curry chicken (his signature dish) that goes with nasi lemak. It was finger-licking good! And if you ask about my role in the kitchen, I'm a great assistant I must say. I cut out the ingredients and prepare whatever's needed. After dinner, I wash up everything, that's my role! If you must say, my role probably needs more hardwork, where as Big Elf's role needed more of skill (something which I lack, unfortunately!). Ultimately, we make a good team in the kitchen.

Oh well, that's our weekend and it's a shame that the weekend only lasted this long. We are so looking forward to next weekend and the next and the next... =)

Fickly Fickle

I know, the title doesn't make sense. I have been reading some people's blogs.. and I always tend to like their template or layout better than mine. The thing about me is, it's not that I envy, I just tend to get bored with something ever so quickly. I never stick to something for a long time. Of course, this does not apply in every aspect of my life, just things that doesn't have implications, you know? Things that can give me pleasure, just by looking at them.

These are some examples to explain what I mean.

1. I always never stick to a single type of handwriting. My best friend can vouch for that. I love to write differently depending on my mood. But of course, nowadays with technology ruling our lives, we no longer hand write, it's all computer!

2. I am always coming out with ideas to improve the home, I never stick to one position of the furnitures. I love to swap them around and re-arrange them. It just makes the whole environment, different! In a way, it's a great way to clean up the house more thoroughly. There was once, I shifted a bookshelf after a year being in it's solitary confinement, just to find the back of the bookshelf being infested by cockroaches!! It was horrible!! I should have moved it earlier!! Lately, I'm so tempted to buy new curtains for the home. We only have 1 type for the whole house. In fact, we have to thank our landlord for supplying them. It's pretty I must say, a plain curtain in orange and peach colour (my favourite). However, it's been more than 2 years, and I am absolutely sick of them! When it's time to wash them, I have to make sure I wash them early in the morning, so that it will be dry on time before the sun goes down, just so I can hang it up again.

3. My latest desire, is to change my blog template! I've only changed it twice so far, I believe. However, I can assure you, it won't be long before I start to get bored of the new one. I have also saved all my blog entries as backup just in case I lose them. So within the next few days, expect a new template and layout of the blog!

Baby bootie, my first crochet endeavour!

Japan trip updated... check it out!

I got pretty sick after Taiwan/Japan trip. Even in Taiwan, I was already experiencing shortness of breath. I grew so tired over the weeks and felt claustrophobic!! I was paranoid as I didn't get any better after 2 weeks coming back from holiday. So I went to see a doctor, took an X-ray and blood test. Finally test result came back, everything was normal and perfect (even my cholesterol level, haha and blood count), it turned out to be allergy.. to ..... DUST MITE, AGAIN!!!

I was in shocked!! I was so certain that it was some sort of chest infection. It must be polution.. in Taiwan.. so I mustn't go back there anymore. I'm giving Japan a benefit of a doubt...I can't rule out Japan, I love Japan too much =)

I took 2 days of sick leave and I managed to do something useful. I made a baby bootie on my first attempt!!! I got the idea from Li Lian, my friend who makes beautiful crochet..

Here's to show you first baby bootie... my pride and joy!



I wish I have more time to do more.. which I will once I find time...

Alrighty, adios for now.

Happy Birthday to me!!

At one point, I thought I was friendless (I mean I don't have many friends)... but after yesterday, I have some friends after all.. I am so touched by everyone who remembers my birthday and all the birthday wishes I received truly made my day. The only thing I dislike is when my birthday falls on weekdays. There's hardly plans for anything. Work being the main hindrance!

I regretted not taking photo of my birthday cake, coffee pecan cake but you can see it here, my all-time favourite!

After work, we had dinner at a nice Japanese restaurant, called Ginza (in Burwood) which we discovered by chance before going to the movie. It turned out to be a lovely restaurant and the soft shell crab was awesome, the best we've ever tasted in Sydney. After dinner, we watched Tropic Thunder.. what a dumb movie!! Still I enjoyed it nevertheless.


I received Vanderwee belgian chocolates for my birthday present (pictured above) and those are really lovely chocolates and the best I've ever tasted.